It's been a long time coming. With the Guelph Storm named the host team for the 2027 Memorial Cup, plans were bound to be in motion for them to become a competitive team by then. Even with an automatic bid to the tournament as a host team, they'll want to have a chance to compete.
Taking place in the spring of 2027, the Storm has a little over a year to transform its team. With that comes moving on from some of its most successful players. And for Flyers fans, they'll be happy to see Jett Luchanko being given a chance in a place that is certain to be much better for his development.
Reported early on Monday morning by Jeff Marek, Luchanko is on the move to the Brantford Bulldogs. Coached by Jeff Jay McKee, a former teammate of Flyers' GM Danny Briere, Luchanko is headed to one of the best teams in junior hockey. McKee was also reportedly a finalist for the Flyers' head coaching position. So it's safe to say everyone is rather happy with where Luchanko is ending up.
OHL News - Flyers prospect Jett Luchanko is on his way to the Brantford Bulldogs.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) November 24, 2025
Sounds like Layne Gallacher and picks going the other way.
Luchanko traded to one of the best teams in junior hockey
The Storm comes in at 11-11-2-0 and sits fourth in the Midwest Division in the Western Conference. They have lost their last four games. In one of their most recent losses, a 10-7 shootout against the Owen Sound Attack, Luchanko had five assists and was named the second star. Since returning to Guelph in late October, he has only gone pointless in four of 11 games. Four other games have seen him finish with two or more points.
Overall, Luchanko was first on the team in assists (15) and third in points (17). His two goals in 11 games aren't necessarily what fans want to see, but going to an environment where he won't be relied on as much should help him flourish.
Moving to Brantford, the Bulldogs are an impressive 18-0-4-1, having not yet lost a game in regulation. They are firmly at the top of the standings and boast impressive offensive talent. Jake O'Brien is atop the points leaders, sitting at 40. Adam Benak isn't far behind with 38 points. Both players lead the CHL in points.
Marek Vanacker leads the way with 21 goals, which also leads the OHL. Ryerson Leenders is tied for the best save percentage (.924) in the league and is third in goals against average (2.13). Up and down the board, Luchanko is coming to a team that should be much better for his development.
While he won't be relied on as the top player on his team, Luchanko still finds himself playing with better talent. Guelph's best player aside from Luchanko, Ethan Miedema, had 11 goals and 23 points in 13 more games. Luchanko's 17 points are still top-10 on the Bulldogs, which is impressive considering he's played far fewer games.
This will be one of the most talented teams Luchanko has played on in quite some time. The only 'downfall' of this is that he is unlikely to play in the AHL at the end of the season. With Brantford likely to embark on a long playoff run that should see them compete for a Memorial Cup, Luchanko's season is expected to end around the same time as the AHL's finals as well.
In his final season of junior hockey, going on a long playoff run is the perfect way for things to end. On one of the deepest teams in junior hockey, Luchanko could not have gone to a better place. It will be fun to see what this move does for him.